Jennie - copyright Jennifer Elizabeth Heap
My friend Jennifer Elizabeth Heap originally comes from Leicestershire but has moved to South Wales in 2006 to study drama at the University of Glamorgan. Jennie lives in the outskirts of Caerphilly with her gorgeous and mischievous black and white cats Reebok and Booful. When she’s not creating beautiful jewellery she is studying childcare at her local college.
Jennie's Cats - copyright Jennifer Elizabeth Heap
When did you start making jewellery and why?
Jennie: I first started making jewellery last year (2010), when I was unwell with depression. My mum bought me a load of beads and cord and I used to make threaded and knotted necklaces, because it kept my hands busy and gave me something to do. I found it really therapeutic and moved on to using headpins and eye pins and now I’m using resin and wirework and there’s no looking back!
Resin pendants and earrings - copyright Jennifer Elizabeth Heap
Did you take any jewellery courses?
Jennie: I took an Agored Cymru level 1 course in Jewellery Making which was run by Lynsey who is now a really close friend of mine. The course covered basic jewellery making techniques and also showed me some helpful little shortcuts and how to do things properly (i.e. not how I’d been doing it before!). Other than that I have spent the occasional afternoon or evening doing a ‘skills exchange’ for example Rebecca Ashley Smith (Rasberry Crafts) showed me wire work in exchange for me showing her some resin stuff.
A selection of Jennie's wire wrapped pendants - copyright Jennifer Elizabeth Heap
When did you start selling jewellery? And where do you sell it?
Jennie: It was a massive leap for me to start selling my jewellery as I thought it was good and my friends and family said I should sell it, but I didn’t build up the confidence for a long time. I began selling in early 2011 after I’d been making pieces for eight months or so. Since then I’ve sold at roughly three fairs a month from local markets like Roath Arts and Crafts Bazaar to the Nottingham Gateway Hotel, I’m booked into lots of fairs coming up to Christmas in Bristol, Bath, Cardiff and Nottingham!
How would you describe the kind of jewellery you make?
Jennie: I make feminine jewellery inspired by vintage and antique styles with a contemporary twist. My pieces are eclectic and reminiscent of fairytales and surreal stories like Alice in Wonderland.
Who or what is your inspiration?
Jennie: I am inspired by so many different things, I’d say that I’ve always got my jewellery head on, and am always thinking of new ways to use textures or images. I am inspired by my family, as they have always nursed my creativity and they keep me going when I’m feeling low and wanting to give it all up. My dad is quite creative and into railway modelling so if I have a technical question about glue or varnish, he usually has the answer. In fact, he taught me to make the perfect loop in wire. I am also really interested in fairytales and literature so I love old books and illustrations and you can often find me in a charity shop or second hand bookstore. I could get lost in these places!
Pendants - copyright Jennifer Elizabeth Heap
What is your favourite medium you work with?
Jennie: I love working with resin, but it does take a long time to become something. I enjoy the ‘back to basics’ beadwork and I’m really into wirework at the moment… it changes all the time!
You work a lot with resin. What do you like about this medium?
Jennie: I love resin, because it’s so versatile. You can do so many different things with it and it’s sticky and messy which is always fun! Resin is clear initially but you can colour it with dyes, you can embed things (like petals or beads) into it, you can etch onto it – there are so many options! For inspiration about what can be achieved with resin visit Daisy Dunlop’s website.
Resin Flower Pendants - copyright Jennifer Elizabeth Jennifer Heap
Wat is your favourite design of your own jewellery?
Jennie: I like so many of my designs but I think my favourite is the Recycled Fairytales pieces, especially the pendants on chains with embellishments of polymer clay flowers (which I have to admit I didn’t make myself) and leaves and metal charms.
How long does it take you to make one of your pendants?
Jennie: It varies depending on what materials I’m using. Anything with resin takes at least 24 hours to cure or harden. The picture pendants with glass domes don’t take me very long but I’m using much more resin now and all you need is planning to be able to make effective and unique pieces.
Resin Bird Pendant - copyright Jennifer Elizabeth Heap
What are your plans for the future? Are there other techniques and materials you’d like to explore?
Jennie: Due to my commitment to college I don’t think I’ll be learning any new techniques for a while. But I will continue to work on my resin and wirework and see what develops out of that!
What would recommend to readers who would like to create and sell jewellery?
Jennie: I would say that you need to have faith in yourself and go for it. Don’t be disheartened if fairs are quiet or you don’t sell much. Accept the compliments about your work and remember them! Make connections with other crafters because you can use them for advice on techniques, materials or stockists and also they can be a really great source of support. It can be quite lonely, making and selling your own creations but making friends really eases the anxiety and loneliness. I know that making friends for me has been one of the unexpected bonuses of selling my jewellery!
Jennie with one of her cats. - Copyright Jennifer Elizabeth Heap
Thank you very much for the interview.
You can find Jennie’s Etsy Shop here.
Jennie’s own website is here.
Jennie’s Facebook page is here.
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